STAFFORD – Preliminary results from the Ocean County Clerk indicate that the $75.7 million bond proposal passed 2,193 votes to 1,500.
School officials said approval of this bond measure will provide the Stafford Township School District with the necessary funds to carry out extensive facility improvements. According to the district, the upfront funding will address critical infrastructure needs across multiple buildings. Homeowners in the district can expect an estimated monthly tax increase of $22 for properties assessed at the district’s average of $294,141.
Superintendent George Chidiac expressed appreciation to the community, stating, “On behalf of the Board of Education and administration, I extend my gratitude to the residents of Stafford Township for voting and taking time to learn about this important step in the future of this community.” He emphasized that the investment is vital for long-term fiscal responsibility, especially with the ability to receive $15.9 million in state aid to offset project costs.
Stafford Township School District has faced significant financial challenges, including a 47 percent reduction in state aid since 2018, amounting to a $4 million budget shortfall. With limited funds available for major improvements, district officials viewed the referendum as a final option after exploring alternatives such as the Energy Savings Improvement Program (ESIP) and Regular Operating District (ROD) grants.
Despite these financial pressures, the district did not take advantage of the state’s offer to raise school taxes by up to 9.9 percent, which could have mitigated some of the funding loss.
The bond referendum’s passage paves the way for essential updates throughout the district, including renovations to various buildings and the addition of a new wing at Oxycocus Elementary School to accommodate the preschool program. The district’s professional consultants will now focus on selling bonds at favorable rates and finalizing project specifications for the bidding process.
Board of Education President Tammy Wagner expressed optimism for the future, saying, “We are excited to begin working on finalizing the plans for updates and renovations so the district can better support our students and community now, and into the future.”
Construction could start as early as summer 2025, with the district working to minimize disruption to daily school operations. Official election results will be confirmed once the Ocean County Clerk’s Office completes the verification process. Further updates will be posted on the district’s website at staffordschools.org/vote.
There are 25,158 registered voters in Stafford, and 3,812 of them participated in the school bond referendum, representing a 15.55 percent turnout.
The exact numbers of votes will not be made official for a few weeks when the county certifies the results.
